WE visited Worcesters 'hottest' new store claiming to have the largest hot sauce collection in the city.

Mark Symonds opened Mark's Hot Stuff on Angel Street on Saturday, March 22, after being previously based in Huntingdon Hall in Crowngate Shopping Centre.

The shop sells a wide variety of sauces, seasonings, biltong, jerky and other chilli-based products.

Mr Symonds, of Worcester originally started selling his products on market stalls across the county.

He said: " I first started three years ago on a market stall and progressed to now where I sell all of my friends' produce as well as my creations made on site.

"We stock about 15 different artisan producers' sauces and other products. All of my selections are on a try before you buy basis.

"The shop is 8 weeks old, people are getting to know I am here, it has been really good."

Malvern Gazette: Mark Symmonds, owner of Mark's Hot Stuff.Mark Symmonds, owner of Mark's Hot Stuff.

All of the sauces are produced at the shop by Mark.

He said: "We are just in the process of sorting our kitchen out right now.

"I am in the process of also sorting out a space above the shop for chilli challenge videos which we are looking to stream live on our social media platforms.

"Worcester is a university city so undoubtedly people will want to come and stitch their mates up with something hot which will be amazing.

"I am really proud of my creations, especially my own Worcestershire sauce. A lot of Worcester sauce is no longer even made in the city so I am happy to be putting the sauce back in Worcestershire.

"The hottest sauces we have is the Weapons of Mouth Destruction, some of the Chilli of the Valley products and also an amazing spicy yeast spread, like Marmite, made by Chilli of the Valley as well."

Malvern Gazette: The hottest sauces available at Mark's Hot Stuff.The hottest sauces available at Mark's Hot Stuff.

Mark's love of spice came when he was younger, by stealing tastes of his parent's vindaloo curry when they went out for meals.

He said: "From then on I have loved spices, I could chillis like apples, the hotter the better."

Mark believes that selling local produce is important for his business model.

He said: "We have lots of local producers from around the Worcester area and beyond.

"I truly believe in shopping local, local producers really care about the products they make.

"If you don't support local, businesses like mine don't survive so I feel it's really important."